People's Daily Tonight: Podcast News (11/14/2018 Wed.)
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This is People's Daily Tonight, your news source from China.

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Xi to address APEC summit with regional economic integration focus

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Chinese President Xi Jinping is scheduled to hold state visits in Papua New Guinea, Brunei, and the Philippines from Nov. 15 to 21.

He will also attend the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation leaders' meeting from Nov. 17 to 18 in Port Moresby.

Xi’s Pacific trip will serve as added impetus to the APEC economy and trade connectivity in the region.

Xi is set to deliver a keynote address during an informal meeting with leaders, and will attend a dialogue with leaders of the APEC Business Advisory Council.

He is expected to elaborate on China's position and proposition, drive further cooperation and strengthen partnerships. (People’s Daily app)

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California wildfire's death toll rises to 48

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Authorities have reported six more fatalities from a blaze in Northern California, bringing the total number of fatalities so far to 48 in the deadliest wildfire in state history.

The announcement came Tuesday after authorities ramped up the search for more victims buried in rubble left by the blaze that incinerated the town of Paradise.

Many friends and relatives of those living in the fire zone say they haven't heard from loved ones. Some went to shelters looking for them.

More than 5,000 firefighters are still battling the blaze that charred 195 square miles (505 square kilometers) since it started Thursday.

The fire has destroyed about 7,700 homes and displaced 52,000 people.

The statewide death toll from wildfires over the past week in California has reached 50.  (AP)

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China's fixed-asset investment up 5.7 pct in first 10 months: NBS 

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The World Trade Organization is processing the largest number of trade disputes in 16 years.

That’s according to its director-general, Roberto Azevedo.

He said the WTO is handling 35 disputes sparked by a rise in protectionism and global trade tensions.

The Brazilian WTO head said the change in government in Brazil offers an opportunity to reflect a little on international trade and the country's insertion into the world. (Xinhua)

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Sterling leaps on Brexit breakthrough 

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A Brexit breakthrough reportedly not just close, but actually clinched between Britain and the EU on the text of a withdrawal agreement, according to a government source.

The pound hit a seven-month peak against the euro on the report.

And the euro also gained.Though some in the markets remained doubtful.

Sterling hit a seven-month high after he European Union and Britain were reported to have agreed a draft text of a Brexit withdrawal agreement that Prime Minister Theresa May is expected to present to senior ministers on Wednesday. (People’s Daily app)

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WTO handling largest number of trade disputes in 16 years: director-general 

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China's fixed-asset investment rose 5.7 percent in the first 10 months of the year.

That’s faster than the 5.4 percent recorded from January to September.

China’s statistics bureau said this is the country’s second consecutive monthly growth increase.

On a monthly basis, FAI edged up 0.44 percent from September.

Private investment rose at a faster pace than overall growth.

Its FAI expanded 8.8 percent in the first 10 months, compared to  8.7 percent in the first nine months. (Xinhua)

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Smog-prone Beijing and surrounding areas issue yellow alert

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The Central Meteorological Observatory issued a yellow alert for smog in the Beijing area on Tuesday.

It was estimated that from Tuesday evening to Wednesday morning, the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region will have heavy smog. Some areas in Beijing will have extremely thick smog with visibility less than 50 meters.

The Beijing Municipal Environmental Monitoring Center on Wednesday characterized the air pollution level as heavily polluted. (People’s Daily app)

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Mexico ex-president Calderon denies taking cartel bribes 

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And former Mexican president Felipe Calderon denied receiving bribes from the Sinaloa drug cartel.

He rejected allegations made in court by a defense attorney for the cartel's alleged leader, Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman.

Calderon said on Twitter that the statements made by Guzman's lawyer are absolutely false and reckless.   

He added that neither he nor the Sinaloa cartel nor any others made payments to him. (AFP)

Calderon led Mexico from 2006 to 2012.

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And that’s People’s Daily Tonight. Thanks for joining us.

(Produced by David Nye and Qu Qiuyan)